UPM BioVerno achieves test success

UPM BioVerno is a fuel that reduces both CO2 and tailpipe emissions, such as nitrogen oxides and fine particles, that harm the local environment. The fuel has been tested in engine and vehicle tests on numerous makes and models in several acclaimed Finnish and international research facilities.

Towards carbon-free urban transport with UPM BioVerno bus tests

UPM BioVerno has been tested in Euro III class bus engines at VTT and in field tests carried out on Volvo Euro VI class buses in collaboration with the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) and VTT. Service station operator St1, Volvo and the transport company Transdev Finland have also participated in the field test process. These tests are a part of the Bio100 project that seeks a gradual conversion to biofuel operation of Helsinki Metropolitan Area bus transport and Helsinki City Construction Services (Stara) vehicles and machinery.

Clearly reduced NOx and Particulate Matter (PM) levels in tailpipe emissions compared to fossil fuels

Four Volvo buses road tested for 400,000 km without fuel-related incidents

Same fuel consumption as fossil diesel with all UPM BioVerno diesel ratios

Laboratory tests

In the tests carried out at VTT, the tailpipe emissions of UPM BioVerno were compared with emissions from paraffinic fuels on the market and from regular fossil diesel.

The tests were carried out on Euro III class buses, which are still commonly used. Compared to regular diesel, UPM BioVerno diesel clearly reduced the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which are the worst pollutants in exhaust gases. The reductions in NOx and PM emissions (g/km) achieved using UPM BioVerno were at the same level as the reductions achieved using other paraffinic fuels.

Road tests

The road tests were conducted by Transdev Finland on a regular bus route between the cities of Kerava and Helsinki, using four identical Volvo Euro VI Class buses that have low emissions levels and efficient engines. Road tests were performed on 20%, 50% and 100% UPM BioVerno diesel. Results show that UPM BioVerno works very well in all blending ratios – just like the best diesel fuels – and fuel consumption is the same as that of fossil diesel. Altogether, the four buses travelled 400,000 km without any fuel-related incidents.

Read about bus test results using low-emission UPM BioVerno

UPM BioVerno reduces emissions when used as a blend

The vehicle technology research facility FEV Germany carried out a series of tests with a diesel blend containing 30% UPM BioVerno and with 100% UPM BioVerno diesel. In addition to measuring engine power and fuel consumption, these tests focused on tailpipe emissions and the performance of UPM BioVerno compared with conventional diesel.

The high quality and higher cetane number of UPM BioVerno diesel provide cleaner combustion in the engine, resulting in significantly lower tailpipe emissions when used both as a blend and on its own.

The FEV Group is an internationally recognised development services provider for drive and vehicle technologies, and its headquarters are in Aachen, Germany.

“Even as a 30% blend, UPM BioVerno's accumulated hydrocarbon emissions were reduced by over 50%. In addition, carbon monoxide emissions were down by more than 40%.”

Stable UPM BioVerno functions well in car fuel systems

A 12-month engine and fuel system stability test with no significant changes and no corrosion

Similar engine performance compared with the best commercial diesels

No bacteria, moulds or yeasts in the fuel when tested at room temperature

The chemical structure of wood-based UPM BioVerno renewable diesel is similar to regular diesel as it is a pure hydrocarbon. Its performance in car engines rivals the best commercial diesels, and it has good storage stability properties.

VTT carried out long term tests to study the stability of UPM BioVerno and to evaluate the effects of the fuel on passenger car engines and fuel systems. Various plastic, rubber and metal parts typically found in the fuel systems of diesel-powered passenger cars were exposed to UPM BioVerno for 12 months. The comparison also included other fuels.

The stability of UPM BioVerno was good at room temperature and the colour of the fuel remained bright, without the use of preservatives. The screening tests did not reveal any bacteria, moulds or yeasts in the fuel.

No significant changes were identified in the materials of the engines or fuel systems. Additionally, UPM BioVerno did not cause any corrosion of metal parts. Corrosion could not be detected even when the metal parts exposed to the fuel were examined using a scanning electron microscope.

Cleaner city traffic with UPM BioVerno

UPM BioVerno reduces local emissions and targeted use of the fuel improves air quality in cities. UPM BioVerno diesel cuts fine particle emissions by up to a third and reduces carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide levels which impact air quality.

UPM BioVerno offers the greatest reduction in emissions in older vehicles, as they are not equipped with modern particle filters or catalysers.

The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland conducted road tests to study the impact of UPM BioVerno on the operations affecting vehicles’ engine functionality and fuel consumption. Test drivers collected data for analysis using four new Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDIs. The total number of kilometres driven was 80,000. The drivers covered short distances in the city and longer distances outside the city in both summer and winter conditions.

The fleet tests performed using cars showed that UPM BioVerno works just like regular diesel. There was no noticeable difference in fuel consumption.

Testing UPM BioVerno in marine applications

UPM BioVerno in heavy machinery engines

UPM BioVerno diesel has also been tested in heavy-duty engines at the University of Vaasa, Finland.

The tests showed that the more UPM BioVerno there was in the fuel blend, the lower the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from the engine. For all studied fuels and fuel blends, the smoke emissions were very low.